Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation of Nabinagar Upazila Under Brahmanbaria District

PARTICIPATION OF RURAL WOMEN IN HOMESTEAD VEGETABLE CULTIVATION OF NABINAGAR UPAZILA UNDER BRAHMANBARIA DISTRICT

A Thesis

NOWSHIN JAHAN

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SHER-E-BANGLA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY DHAKA-1207

DECEMBER 2014

PARTICIPATION OF RURAL WOMEN IN HOMESTEAD VEGETABLE CULTIVATION OF NABINAGAR UPAZILA UNDER BRAHMANBARIA DISTRICT

NOWSHIN JAHAN

Reg. No. 08-03162

A thesis Submitted to the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM

SEMESTER: July-December, 2014

APPROVED BY

Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiquel Islam Prof. Md. Shadat Ulla Supervisor Co-Supervisor Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Information Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Information System System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dhaka Dhaka

Dr. Mohummed Shofi Ullah Mazumder Chairman Examination Committee Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Information System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Participation of Rural Woman in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation of Nabinagar Upazila under Brahmanbaria District” submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Extension and Information System, embodies the result of a piece of bona fide research work carried out by Nowshin Jahan, Registration No. 08-03162 under my supervision and guidance. No part of the thesis has been submitted for any other degree or diploma. I further certify that any help or source of information, received during the course of this investigation has been duly acknowledged.

Dated: Dhaka, Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiquel Islam Supervisor Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207

DEDICATED TO MY BELOVED Parents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praises are due to almighty the merciful Allah, who enabled the researcher to complete the study successfully. Guidance, help and co-operation have been received from several persons or authority during the tenure of the study; the author is immensely grateful to all of them.

The author with a sense of respect, expresses her heart felt gratitude to her Supervisor Professor Dr. Md. Rafiquel Islam, Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e- Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka for his untiring and painstaking guidance, innovative suggestions, continuous supervision, timely instructions and inspirations throughout the tenure of research work.

Heartfelt gratitude and profound respect to her Co-supervisor Prof. Md. Shadat Ulla, Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka for his constructive criticism, valuable suggestions and co-operation throughout the study period. The author also expresses her profound respect and sincere gratitude to the Chairman and all other teachers of Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka for their co-operation and suggestions.

The author is grateful to Agriculture Extension Officer and Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers of Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district for rendering co-operation during the field work. Special thanks to the rural women, who were the respondents of the study area and gave their valuable time for interview during collection of data.

The author takes the opportunity to express her indebtedness and profound respect to her beloved father Asadul Hakim, mother Raihan Akhter, husband Ferdaus Alam , aunt Begum Kamrun Nahar, cousin Abdullah Al Shahid & Nishat Jahan Mitu and other relatives for their blessings, sacrifices, financial support and encouragement for higher study which can never be forgotten. Last but not the least, author is also grateful to Mona, Mili and Hira for their help and inspiration during the period of the study. Finally, author expresses her gratefulness to Asadul Hakim for his valuable inspiration, encouragement and cooperation for this research work. The Author

CONTENTS

PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i CONTENTS ii LIST OF TABLES v LIST OF FIGURES vi LIST OF APPENDICES vi ABSTRACT vii

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION 1-11 1.1 General Background 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 4 1.3 Specific Objectives 5 1.4 Justification of the Study 6 1.5 Assumptions of the Study 6 1.6 Scope of the Study 6 1.7 Limitations of the Study 7 1.8 Definition of Related Terms 8

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE 12-27 2.1 Reviews on Rural Women Participation in Homestead 12 Vegetable Cultivation 2.2 Relationship between Selected Characteristics of the Rural 15 Women and their Participation 2.3 The Conceptual Framework of the Study 27

CONTENTS (Contd.)

PAGE

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS 28-44 3.1 Locale of the Study 28 3.2 Population and Sample 31 3.3 Variables of the Study 32 3.4 Measurement of Variables 32 3.5 Measurement of Problem Faced by the Rural Women in 41 Homestead Vegetable Cultivation 3.6 Instrument for Data Collection 42 3.7 Collection of Data 42 3.8 Data Processing 42 3.9 Statistical Analysis 43 3.10 Statement of Hypothesis 43

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 45-63 4.1 Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women 45

4.1.1 Age 46 4.1.2 Level of Education 47 4.1.3 Family Size 48 4.1.4 Family Income 48 4.1.5 Farm Size 49 4.1.6 Knowledge of Homestead Vegetables Cultivation 50

iii

CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER PAGE

4.1.7 Cosmopoliteness 51 4.1.8 Extension Contact 51 4.1.9 Agricultural Training 52 4.1.10 Decision Making Role 53 4.1.11 Innovativeness 54

4.2 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable 55 Cultivation 4.3 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of Rural 58 Women and their Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation 4.4 Problem Faced by the Rural Women to undertake the 63 Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND 64-72 RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Summary of Findings 64 5.2 Conclusions 67 5.3 Recommendations 70 5.3.1 Recommendations for Policy Implication 70 5.3.2 Recommendations for Further Study 71

BIBLIOGRAPHY 73-82

APPENDICES 83-91

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE PAGE

1.1 Vegetable Productions in Bangladesh, 2003-04 to 2010-11 2 3.1 Distribution of Population, Sample List and Reserve List of 31 Respondents in Five Selected Villages of Nabinagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria District 4.1 Salient Features of the Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women 46 4.2 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Age 46 4.3 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Education 47 4.4 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Family Size 48 4.5 Distribution of Rural Women According to Annual Income of their 49 Family 4.6 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Farm Size 49 4.7 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Knowledge of 50 Homestead Vegetable Cultivation 4.8 Distribution of Rural Women According to Cosmopoliteness 51 4.9 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Extension 52 Contact 4.10 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Agricultural Training 53 4.11 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Decision Making Role 54 4.12 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Innovativeness 54

Summary Profile of Participation of Rural Women in Homestead 4.13 55 Vegetable Cultivation 4.14 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of 56 Participation in Homestead Winter Vegetables Cultivation 56 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of 4.15 Participation in Homestead Summer Vegetables Cultivation 4.16 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of 57 Participation in Homestead Vegetables Cultivation

4.17 Correlation Co-efficient of the Selected Characteristics of the Rural 59 Women with their Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

Problem Faced Index of Selected Problem of the Respondent in 4.18 63 Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURES PAGE

2.1 The Conceptual Frame Work of the Study 27 3.1 A Map of Brahmanbaria District Showing Nabinagar Upazila 29 3.2 A Map of Nabinagar Upazilla Showing the Study Area 30

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDICES PAGE

A English Version of the Interview Schedule 83 B Correlation Matrix of the Independent and Dependent Variables 91

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this research was to assess the extent of participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation and to explore the relationship between each of the selected characteristics of the rural women and their extent of participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. The study was conducted in five villages of Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district. The populations of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation in these villages were 594, from which 120 samples were selected proportionally. An interview schedule was used for data collection. The data were collected during 18th July, 2014 to 25th August, 2014. Appropriate scales were developed in order to measure the variables. Majority (62.5%) of the respondent had medium participation in winter homestead vegetable cultivation as compared to 30 percent low participation and 7.5 percent high participation. The highest proportion (73.3%) of the respondent had medium participation in summer homestead vegetable cultivation as compared to 22.5 percent low participation and 4.2 percent high participation. The highest proportion (52.5%) of the respondent had medium participation in homestead vegetable cultivation as compared to 36.7 percent low participation and 10.8 percent high participation. Correlation analysis indicated that five out of eleven independent variable namely farm size, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness had significant positive relationship with their homestead vegetable cultivation. Other variables namely age, level of education, family size, family income, knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation and cosmopoliteness had no significant relationship with their homestead vegetable cultivation. Among the ten selected problem ‘lack of credit’ was ranked first followed by ‘lack of technical knowledge’, ‘insect and disease infestation’, ‘higher price of inputs’, ‘lack of quality seeds and seedlings’, ‘cattle and goat destroy the vegetables’ ‘lack of homestead land’, ‘lower fertility of homestead land’ and ‘lower market price of products’ while ‘lack of required information in time’ had the last position in order of ranking.

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CHAPTAR 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General Background

Bangladesh is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world with an estimated average population density of around 1015 inhabitants per square kilometer (Population and Housing Census 2011). Due to poverty, majority of its population, particularly women and children suffer from severe malnutrition.

Bangladesh is basically an agricultural country. The economy of Bangladesh is largely dependent on agriculture. Bangladeshi women play a significant part in agriculture production. Although rice is the dominant crop, vegetable occupy a very important place in rice-based cropping systems and play a distinct role in the crop sub-sector to provide nutrition, enhance food security and uplift economic benefits to the producers. Vegetables are essential in diet, provide fiber, trace minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins. Vegetables help to prevent various diseases resulting from malnutrition and unbalanced nutrition. Home gardening can play a very important role to improve the nutrition level in the country which is almost overlooked by producing vegetable. In Bangladesh a good amount of vegetable are grown throughout the year. In view of increase in income, population and nutritional consideration, there is a great need for vegetable cultivation.

In contrast weather, climate and soil of Bangladesh are very much suitable growing vegetables round the year. But vegetable production is so low that per capita/day availability is hardly 112 gm whereas the requirement is estimated to 400 gm. (FAO, 2003).

Many vegetables are grown in homestead. Homestead is the dwelling place and it is the centre where vegetables are cultivated. Homestead as defined by Abdullah (1986) is the land owned and occupied by the dwelling unit of the household and immediate area surrounding by the dwelling unit including courtyard, pond, road space around homestead, space used for cultivation of trees and vegetable and unutilized space. Cultivable land is a scarce resource in densely populated Bangladesh, which is mostly used for production of rice and other field crops. However, many small homesteads of Bangladesh remains unutilized, underutilized or not scientifically managed, which could be brought under round the year vegetable cultivation for reducing the above mentioned problems. Many vegetable are in homestead such as cabbage, carrot, eggplant, cauliflower, potato, tomato, radish, sweet gourd, wax gourd, bitter gourd, teasel gourd, point gourd etc. not much care is taken for growing these vegetable in Bangladesh. Little attention is given to cultivate these vegetables, though these are very important source of human nutrition. There is a great scope for increasing the production of vegetable throughout the year. The benefit that can be obtained by growing more vegetables may be as follows: sources of high economic benefit, substitute of grain as crop, utilization of fallow land, vegetable export, agro-based industry and health-improvement etc.

The total production of vegetable during the period from 2003-04 to 2010-11 is shown in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 Vegetable Productions in Bangladesh, 2003-04 to 2010-11 Year Production (thousand MT) 2003-04 5621 2004-05 6531 2005-06 5952 2006-07 6967 2007-08 8685 2008-09 7373 2009-10 10158 2010-11 10516 Source: Agricultural Statistics, BBS, 2011

In Bangladesh out of 8.52 million hectare cultivated land, 0.03 million hectare land (about 5 percent) is under homestead while average individual homestead covers 0.04 hectare. Nearly 4.9 million household (30 percent) are non-farm out of total 18 million households. About 70 percent of 10 million farm households have below one hectare land (small farm) (BBS, 2011). Thus homestead farming is the most significant system of production in rural Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh women are not habituated generally in working outside and their movement is mostly restricted to the homestead area (FSRDP, 1990). Halim (1987) reported that the women are potential producer of the agricultural product and through their participation in intensive agricultural production they increase the GDP coming from agriculture.

As of the 2011 Bangladesh census, women constitute nearly half (49.94%) of the total population and 80% of them live in the rural areas (AIS, 2004). Approximately 45% of our rural people are landless and about 55% of the land owners are small farmer. Women from these landless and marginally landless rural families cultivate different kinds of vegetable. Undoubtedly, women can play a vital role if their full talent can be explored. If women can perform their roles in homestead vegetable cultivation properly and skillfully, they will be able to ensure food security and family nutrition, increase family income and contribute to the overall improvement of Bangladesh.

Considering this fact the researcher is persuaded to conduct the research on ‘Participation of Rural Woman in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation of Nabinagar Upazila under Brahmanbaria District’.

1.2 Statement of the Problem „Participation‟ refers to one‟s involvement in an events, thing or situation. Participation of the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation is very vital to agricultural development of Bangladesh, where an overwhelming majority of them live in rural areas who are very close to agricultural production system.

With a view to conduct an investigation on various aspects of homestead vegetable cultivation, the researcher undertook this piece of study entitled „Participation of rural woman in homestead vegetable cultivation of Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district‟. The purpose of this study was to know the answer of the following questions: 1. What is the extent of participation of the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation? 2. What are the characteristics of the rural women? 3. What is the relationship between the selected characteristics of the rural women and their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation? 4. What are the problems faced by the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation ?

For getting answer of the above questions the researcher selected the following objectives of the study.

1.3 Specific Objectives The following specific objectives have been framed out in order to give proper direction to the research work:

1. To determine and describe the following selected characteristics of the rural women: a) Age b) Education c) Family size d) Family income e) Farm size f) Knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation g) Cosmopoliteness h) Extension contact i) Agricultural training j) Decision making role k) Innovativeness 2. To assess the extent of participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation 3. To explore the relationship between each of the selected characteristics of the rural women and their extent of participation in homestead vegetable cultivation 4. To identify the existing problems faced by the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation

1.4 Justification of the Study The major focus of the study is to assess the participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation. Government and non-government organizations are currently putting effort and allocating resources for production oriented research and also encouraging the rural people to undertake homestead vegetable cultivation. So, evaluation of the participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation is necessary. Considering the above findings, the researcher became interested to undertake a study to determine the participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation.

1.5 Assumption of the Study The researcher had the following assumptions in mind while undertaking this study: 1. The selected respondents were competent enough to reply the queries made by the researcher. 2. The responses furnished by the respondents were valid and reliable. 3. Information furnished by the respondents included in the sample was the representative opinion of the whole population of the study area. 4. The researcher who acted as interviewer was well adjusted to social and environment condition of the study area. Hence, the data collected by her from the respondents were free from bias. 5. All the data concerning the variables of the study were normally and independently distributed.

1.6 Scope of the Study The findings of the study will be particularly applicable to the respondent of the 5 villages of Solimgonj union in Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district. However, the findings may also have implication to other areas of Bangladesh where the physical, socio-economic, cultural and geographical condition is similar with the study area. Thus, the findings are expected to be useful to the students, researcher and extension policy makers of different

6 nation buildings organization to improve techniques and strategies for effective extension work with the rural people, particularly with the rural women.

1.7 Limitation of the Study In order to make the study manageable and meaningful from the point of view of research, it was necessary to impose some limitations as stated below: 1. The study was confined to five selected villages of Solimgonj union in Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district. 2. The characteristics of the respondent in the study area were many and varied but only eleven characteristics were selected for investigation in this study as stated in the objectives. 3. There were many rural women in Solimgonj union but only 120 respondents who participate in homestead vegetable cultivation were considered for this study. 4. This study included two types of vegetable which can be grown in homestead area, viz. i) Winter vegetable and ii) Summer vegetable. 5. Only 10 operations and cultivation of 10 vegetable were selected under each of the activities for measuring extent of participation. 6. The researcher relied on the data furnished by the respondent from their memory during interview. 7. For some cases, the researcher faced unexpected interference from the over interested side-talkers while collecting data from the target populations. However, the researcher tried to overcome the problem as far as possible with sufficient tact and skill. 8. Various problems in homestead vegetable cultivations are likely to be faced by the rural women. However, only ten problems have been considered for investigation in this study.

1.8 Definition of Related Terms The terms which have been frequently used throughout the research work are defined and interpreted below:

Participation It was considered to be an active process, meaning that the person or group in question took initiatives toward achieving something. Participation here meant to be involved in different affairs of homestead vegetable cultivation by rural women.

Vegetable The farm vegetable in this study, referred to the edible parts of plants (root, steam, leaf, fruit etc.) which are eaten as cooked food and green salad.

Winter Vegetable Those vegetable which are generally grown during October to March in Bangladesh have been termed as winter vegetable. In this study investigation has been conducted on ten selected winter vegetable namely- Brinjal, Bengal spinach, Battle gourd, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Country been, Potato, Radish and Tomato.

Summer Vegetable Those vegetable which are generally grown during April to September in Bangladesh have been termed as summer vegetable. In this study investigation has been conducted on ten selected summer vegetable namely- Amaranths, Bitter gourd, Indian spinach, Okra, Pointed gourd, Ridge gourd, Snake gourd, Sweet gourd, Teasel gourd and Wax gourd.

Participation of Vegetable Cultivation This term referred to one‟s decision to continue the cultivation of vegetable.

Rural Women In the present study, rural women were housewives living in village and engaged in homestead vegetable cultivation directly or indirectly.

Respondent Respondent referred to the women beneficiaries who were participated in homestead vegetable cultivation and were included to the sample.

Age Age of a respondent was defined as the span of her life and was operationally measured by the number of years from her birth to the time of interview.

Education Education referred to the development of desirable knowledge, skill and attitude in the individual through reading, writing, and other related activities. It is measured in terms of schooling of individual respondent.

Family Size Family size of household was defined as the number of individuals in the family including herself, her husband, children and other dependent members who live and eat together.

Family Income Family income was defined as the total earning of the respondent and the members of her family from agriculture and other sources (services, business, labor etc.) during a year.

Farm Size It referred to the area of land owned by a woman or by her husband on which farming activities are carried out. A respondent was considered to have full benefit from cultivated area either owned by him/her or obtained on share cropping system. The areas are estimated in terms of full benefit to the women. The right of women on the land taken on lease or mortgage from others was regarded as ownership in estimating the farm size.

Knowledge on Homestead Vegetable Cultivation It referred to the rationalistic understanding of the rural women about different activities related to homestead cultivation in the homestead area.

Cosmopoliteness It refers to the frequency of movement of a rural woman to a distant place from her own village.

Homestead Area In this study homestead area was considered as “A land adjoining area including garden, courtyard, pond and threshing floor. The homestead area for this study was defined as the raised land in which the household had its entire dwelling including living rooms, kitchen, cattle shed, goat shed, front yard, court yard and the area under vegetables, fruit trees, backyard bushes, bamboo bunches etc.

Extension Contact The term extension contact refers to an individual access to or contact to the communication media and sources or any extension teaching methods being used for dispersion of new technologies among rural women.

Agricultural Training It refers to the total number of days attended by the women in her life to the various agriculture related training courses.

Problem Problem means any difficult situation which requires some action to minimize the gap between “why ought to be” and “what is”.

Problem Faced Problem faced refers to the problem are faced by the rural women for adopting homestead vegetable production techniques.

Decision Making Ability Decision making ability means taking active participation of families on different aspects like crop production, agricultural goods, family household goods etc.

Innovativeness Innovativeness referred to the degree to which a respondent was relatively earlier to accept innovations in terms of new ideas, practices and things than other members of her social system.

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In this chapter, reviews of the literature related to the study are presented. The researcher intensively searched internet, websites, available books, journals and printed materials from different sources of home and abroad. It may be relevant here to mention that a good number of research activities concerning participation of homestead vegetable cultivation have been made in many countries of the world. The researcher also reviewed the thesis containing in the digital agricultural thesis archival web portal of Bangladesh established by Ali (2012).

However, the literatures have been organized into following three sections to set the context of the study: First section : Literatures on general context of homestead vegetable cultivation by rural women Second section : Relationships between Selected Characteristics of the rural women and their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation Third section : The Conceptual Framework of the Study

2.1 Reviews on Rural Women Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Chowdhury (2009) conducted a study on participation of women in farm and non-farm activities in two villages of Sadar Upazilla of Mymenshingh district. This study showed that in case of both low and medium income households, female participation is moderately higher in non-farm activities than the high income households.

Nahar (2008) in her study in a selected area of Gazipur district observed that the involvement of rural woman in each of the homestead activities i.e. homestead vegetable cultivation, post-harvest activities, poultry raising and goat rearing and the extent of participation is high in all cases which is highly encouraging. In fact, these kinds of activities are mostly performed by the rural women in our country and have perfectly reflected in her study.

Uddin (2008) conducted a study among the women of Shariatpur district. He found that 68.63 percent of the respondent had medium and 31.37 percent had low involvement in home gardening practices.

Hasan (2006) observed that the highest proportion (98 percent) of conventional rural women had medium involvement in homestead activities. On-the other hand, cent percent of organic women farm workers had high involvement in homestead farming activities by organic women farm workers was significantly higher than that of conventional rural women’s farming activities.

Ajayi (1995) performed analysis based on the descriptive examination of women’s agricultural activities in four local government areas giving emphasis on market economy that features very prominently in national income accounting, erroneous belief that most rural women do not make an appreciable contribution to crop production is undetermined. He found that most women take part in planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest activities of subsistence crops.

Akanda’s (1994) study revealed that highest proportion of the rural women had high participation in vegetable cultivation while only 15 percent of them had high participation in the cultivation of fruit trees.

Halim et al. (1994) reported that in Bangladesh, women produced Indian spinach, amaranth, okra, gourd, cucumber and pumpkin during summer season and country bean, brinjal and tomato during winter season in their homestead garden successfully.

Vlassak (1993) observed that in third world countries, the role of women in agricultural production were extremely important. The tasks in agriculture as well as in food distribution and provide to women an income of their own, which was essential because of the increasing importance of money in developing countries. Women liked to increase agricultural production, but their activities were being impeded in different ways.

Akhter (1989) stated that women were involved in homestead agricultural production activities such as vegetable, fruits, timber, small animals (goat, sheep) and poultry to supply food and to increase family income.

Halim (1987) informed that women were potential producer of the homestead agricultural products and through their participation intensive homestead products may be produced. But due to lack of knowledge and utilization of proper technology and manageable practices the production remained below the expected level.

Dey (1985) mentioned in his paper that women in the households were economically active and played important role in post-harvest operations as well as other activities like kitchen gardening and livestock care.

Hossain (1985) mentioned in his paper that women were involved in most of the post-harvest operations of vegetables production. He also advocate some measures to be taken by the government, policy makers, planners, development workers and researchers for the effective integration of participation in different homestead production and management activities like vegetable growing, livestock raising, fish cultivation, post-harvest operation and household decision making.

2.2 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women and their Participation 2.2.1 Age and Participation Tazkira (2009) found in her study that age has a significant and positive relation with their extent of involvement in the homestead farming activities.

Rahman (2007) stated that majority of the rural women (46 percent) was middle-aged and its relationship with their participation in homestead agriculture activities. Comprised of either young or middle aged categories and its relationship with their involvement in home gardening practice were negatively significant.

Akhtaruzzaman (2006) stated in his study that there was a significant positive relationship between age of landless women and their functional participation in Income Generating Activities (IGAs).

Rahman (2006) indicate that 81 percent of the respondent were young to middle age and the rest were old aged. Age of the respondent had significant positive relation with their winter, summer, and overall homestead vegetable cultivation.

Khatun (2004) found in her study that there was no significant relationship between age of the rural women and their participation in homestead farming activities.

Nahar (2000) stated in her study that age of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead agriculture.

Akanda (1994) mentioned that age of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation and in the cultivation of fruit trees but a negative correlation with non-farm household activities.

Akhter (1989) stated that there was positive correlation between age of the household women with their time spent in both agricultural and non- agricultural activities.

Sirohi (1985) reported that there were differences in operations among different age groups. Accordingly threshing and sowing belonged to the age group of 25-40 and less than 15 years, respectively.

Huq (1981) stated that 70 percent of women workers of he study belongs to the age group of 15-24 i.e. unmarried women spent more time than married women in labour force.

Iqbal (1963) in his study on farmer's attitude towards participation of modern agricultural practices reported that older farmers had more favourable attitudes to improved and modern agricultural practices.

Nair (1963) conducted a review of research done on method and procedure of adopting improved technology and farm practices and the relevant factors associated with them. He found age as one of the factors that influenced the farmers participation process.

2.2.2 Education and Participation Tazkira (2009) stated that most of the rural women were educated up to primary level and education had significant and positive relationship with their extent of involvement in homestead farming activities.

Uddin (2008) in his statistical analysis showed a significant positive relationship of education of the rural women with their involvement in home gardening practices.

Aktaruzzaman (2006) revealed that there was non-significant relationship between education of landless women and their functional participation in income generating activities.

Rahman (2006) in his study found that majority (46%) of the respondent had primary level education. Education of the rural women showed a significant positive relationship with their involvement in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Aziz (2004) observed that the level of education of the tribal women had no relationship with their participation in homestead agriculture.

Akanda (2000) stated that education of rural women had significant positive relationship with their involvement in the cultivation of fruit trees. However, there was a positive relationship between education and vegetable cultivation.

Chowdhury (2000) in his study showed that education of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their opinion for participation.

Nahar (1996) mentioned that there was significant positive relationship between knowledge of farm women in homestead farming and their education. As the level of education increased, the level of knowledge on homestead farming was also increased. She also concluded that family education also had significant positive influence on the knowledge of farm women about homestead agriculture.

Akanda (1994) stated that education of rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in the cultivation of fruit trees. However, there was a positive relationship between education and homestead vegetable cultivation and that of non-farm activities but was not significant statistically.

Karim (1993) observed that the level of agricultural knowledge increased with the increased education level. There was a positive trend of association between the farmer's education and their agricultural knowledge in sugarcane cultivation.

Kaur (1988) found that education influenced the opinion of the women about adoption of vegetable gardening, animal husbandry etc.

2.2.3 Family Size and Participation Salahuddin (2003) in his study observed that the family size of rural women had significant negative relationship with their involvement in homestead vegetable production.

Islam (2002) in his study found that family size of the women had non- significant relationship with their involvement in income generating activities.

Chowdhuri (2000) in his study found that family size of the rural women had no significant relationship with their opinion for participation in development activities.

Nahar (2000) reported that there was no relationship between family size and participation of women in homestead vegetable cultivation, poultry, farming and goat rearing but she found a significant positive relationship between family size and participation in post-harvest practices.

Akanda (1994) mentioned that family size of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in the cultivation of fruit trees. The relationship with homestead vegetable cultivation and non-farm household activities was also positive but not significant.

Rao (1994) reported that rural women’s participation in agriculture was positive correlated with the size of their family.

Parveen (1993) found that there was a significant positive relationship between family size of the farm women and their awareness and knowledge on environmental degradation

Akhter (1989) in her study found that family size of rural women had significant negative correlation with their attitude towards homestead production. She remarked that the household women with large family had low attitude towards homestead production because of heterogeneous opinions of the members of the large family.

Devi (1983) reported that family size had significant positive association with the farm and house management role performance of the rural women.

2.2.4 Family Income and Participation Uddin (2008) in his study stated that annual family income of the respondent had negative and highly significant relationship with the involvement in home gardening practices. Therefore, he concluded that financial hardship of the respondent allowed them to access involvement in home gardening practices.

Ferdous (2007) in her study found that annual family income of the rural women had no significant relationship with their adoption of agricultural technologies.

Rahman (2006) found in his study that more than 70 percent of the respondent had medium to high family income. Annul family income of the rural women and their in homestead vegetable cultivation showed significant positive relation.

Aziz (2004) observed that family income of the tribal women had significant relationship with their extent of involvement in homestead farming activities.

Salahuddin (2003) in his study found that the family income of rural women had significant positive relationship with their involvement in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Nahar (2000) observed in her study that family income of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead agriculture.

Akanda (1994) observed in his study that family income had significant positive relationship with their participation in the cultivation of fruit and non- farm household activities but not with homestead vegetable cultivation.

Akhter (1989) found that household women having high income spent more time in personal activities like recreation, socio-cultural involvement and such other activities. Thus they spent little time in either agricultural or non-agricultural activities.

Sattar (1979) stated that women have a larger contribution to the country's economy but their contributions are not considered in the programs taken for the development of the country. Findings of the study revealed that women participate in the post harvest operations vegetable cultivation, fruit culture, livestock care etc. which have great contribution to the family income.

Ahmed (1977) found that income of the farmers had significant on the use of information sources in the adoption of plant protection measures.

2.2.5 Farm Size and Participation Rahman (2007) showed that farm size of the rural women had positive significant relationship with their participation in homestead agricultural activities.

Rahman (2006) indicated that 97% of the respondent had small to medium farm size .The farm size of the respondent had significant positive relationship with their involvement in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Islam (2003) mentioned that farm size of the rural women had a negative relationship with their participation in goat rearing.

Akanda (1994) in his study mentioned that farm size was one of the most crucial variables in the activities of rural family and it influenced all other variables. The rural women with bigger farm size had more participation in homestead vegetable cultivation, fruit trees cultivation and non-farm homestead activities. The reasons were that these families had more opportunities, more education, more agricultural knowledge, and better extension contact.

Halim (1991) found in his evaluation report on Farming System Research activities of homestead component mentioned that women of small farm size family spent more time in agricultural activities as compared to medium and large farm size family in Kazishirmla site (upland), whereas in Naogaon site (low lying area), women of medium farm family spent more time in agricultural farming activities.

Saugwan et al. (1990) conducted a study on participation of women in farm activities and found that involvement of women decreased in farm activities with increasing farm size.

Akhter (1989) found in her study that the farm size of the respondent women had significant positive correlation with their time spent in agricultural activities. She remarked that the household women in rural areas with large farm size spent more time in agricultural activities.

Dixon (1988) mentioned from their research findings that women’s work is positively associated with small size of land .Their participation falls with the emergence of commercialized relation in agriculture.

Ahsan et al. (1986) stated that participation of women in agricultural activities depended on the farm size of the family. Women having small farm were found to spend more time in crop sector while women with large sized farms spent

22 more time in homestead production. Besides, these landless women were found more associated with agricultural activities in order to generate direct income.

2.2.6 Knowledge of Homestead Vegetable Cultivation and Participation Tazkira (2009) revealed in her study that knowledge about homestead farming had significant and positive relationship with their extent of involvement of the rural women in homestead agricultural activities.

Rahman (2007) indicated in his study that knowledge on homestead agricultural activities of rural women had positive significant relationship with their participation in homestead agricultural activities. And Nahar (2000) showed similar findings in their respective studies.

Salahuddin (2003) in his study found that knowledge of the rural women had no significant relationship with their involvement in homestead vegetable production.

Akhter (2000) in his study found that agricultural knowledge of the women had significant positive relationship with their participation in decision working role in the family with regard to development activities.

Ali (1995) stated that agricultural knowledge of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their attitude towards working in group in different agricultural activities.

Akanda (1994) in his study found that agricultural knowledge of the rural women had positive relationship with their participation in the cultivation of fruit trees. But there was no significant difference in the participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation and non-farm household activities because of their difference in education.

Parveen (1993) in her study recommended that knowledge had played a vital role in forming favourable attitudes towards the homestead agricultural production. The knowledge about homestead agricultural production activities should be offered trough training. Training facilities should be made available for the women regarding homestead agricultural production activities.

2.2.7 Cosmopoliteness and Participation Nahar (2000) observed in her study that cosmopoliteness of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead agriculture.

Akanda (1994) found that non-localite behaviour or cosmopoliteness of rural women was negatively correlated with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation, cultivation of fruit trees and non-farm household activities.

Ahmed (1977) found no relationship between cosmopoliteness of the farmers and each of the adoption of recommended variety of jute, recommended dose of fertilizers and plant protection measure in jute cultivation.

Latif (1974) in his study found that there was a positive relationship between cosmopoliteness of the farmers and their communication exposure.

Karim (1973) found a significant positive relationship between cosmopoliteness of the transplanted aman rice growers and their adoption of fertilizers.

2.2.8 Extension Contacts and Participation Tazkira (2009) indicated in her study that extension contact had significant and positive relationship with their extent of involvement of the rural women in homestead agricultural activities. Aziz (2004), Khatun (2004) and Islam (2003) observed similar findings in their respective studies.

Uddin (2008) stated in his study that extension contact had significant positive relationship with their participation in agricultural practices.

Nahar (2000), Nahar (1996), Karim (1993) and Kaur (1988) in a study observed that extension contact and mass media exposure had positively significant relationship with their participation in agricultural practices.

2.2.9 Agricultural Training and Participation Ali (2012) indicated in his study that training exposure of the farmers had significant positive relationship with the participation in community development activities.

Hossain (2010) found that training exposure had significant relationship with their adoption in homestead fruit production activities.

Rahman (2007) stated that agricultural training of the rural women had positive significant relationship with their participation in homestead agricultural activities.

Islam (2003) in his study indicated that training had very strong significant association with their knowledge on vegetable production.

Parvin (1993) found that there was a positive relationship between training of the women and involvement with homestead cultivation. Training increases knowledge and develop awareness of respondent.

Verma et al. (1988) found there was significant change in attitude of rural women before training to after training in improved home making task.

Hossain (1981) found a positive relationship with training exposure and development of farming skill as well as involvement in farm activities as per training.

2.2.10 Decision Making Role and Participation Karim (2008) showed in his study that decision making role had significant positive relationship with their extent of use of ITs.

Ferdous (2007) showed in her study that 50 percent of the rural women had some role with medium to high categories in decision making in family and their decision making role had significant positive relationship with their adoption of technologies.

Islam (1996) reported in his study that the decision of the farmer had no relationship with their extent of use of indigenous technical knowledge.

2.2.11 Innovativeness and Participation Akanda (1994) found that innovativeness of the rural women had positive relationship with participation in agricultural practices.

Kashem and Halim (1991) reported that innovativeness of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their self-confidence, use of communication media in adoption of modern rice technology, livestock production and adoption of total agricultural technology.

2.3 The Conceptual Framework of the Study In scientific research, selection and measurement of variables constitute an important task. The conceptual framework of Rosenberg and Hoveland (1960) was kept in mind while framing the structural arrangement for the dependent and independent variables. The present study tried to focus two concepts: the first, the selected characteristics of rural women and the second, participation of the rural women at homestead vegetable cultivation. In view of prime findings, the researcher constructed a conceptual framework of the study which is presented in Figure 2.1.

The selected characteristics of rural women Rural women’s participation in homestead

a) Age winter vegetable b) Education cultivation c) Family size Participation of d) Family income rural women in e) Farm size homestead f) Knowledge of homestead vegetable vegetable cultivation Rural cultivation women’s g) Cosmopoliteness participation in h) Extension contact homestead i) Agricultural training summer vegetable j) Decision making role Problem faced by cultivation k) Innovativeness the rural women in

homestead

vegetable

cultivation

Fig. 2.1 The conceptual framework of the study

CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methods and procedures used in conducting research need very careful consideration. Methodology should be such that enables the researcher to collect valid information and to analyze the same properly to arrive at correct decisions. The methods and procedures followed in conducting this research are being described below:

3.1 Locale of this Study The study was conducted at five villages of Solimgonj union of Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria district. Out of nine villages, five villages in Solimgonj were selected purposively. The selected villages were Badda, Bande Baher Char, Barail, Nilokhi, Kadoir. The study area is situated 27 km away from Nabinagar upazila. There are seven primary schools, two high schools and a college in the study area. There are also a post office and a big market in the study area. There are eleven mosques, two madrashas and one mondhir in thr study area. Various NGOs are working on homestead development activities at the study area. A map of Brahmanbaria district showing Nabinagar upazila is presented in Figure 3.1 and a map of Nabinagar upazila showing the study area is presented in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.1: A map of Brahmanbaria district showing Nabinagar upazila

Figure 3.2: A map of Nabinagar upazila showing the study area

3.2 Population and Sample The rural women of the selected five villages were considered as the population of the study. A list of rural women who are currently cultivating homestead vegetable was prepared with the help of Sub Assistant Agriculture Officer. The number of rural women of the selected five villages was 594 which constituted the population of the study. About 20 percent of the population was selected proportionally from the selected villages as the sample by following random sampling method. Thus, the total sample size stood at 118.8, but 120 rural women were taken as the sample of the study. Moreover, a reserved list of 13 rural women was prepared for use when the rural women under sample were not available during data collection.

The distribution of the rural women included in the population, sample and those in the reserve list appears in Table 3.1. Table 3.1 Distribution of Population, Sample Size and Reserve List Size of Respondents in Five Selected Villages of Nabinagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria District Total Number of number of Sl. Name of the rural women the rural Sample Size No. Villages in the reserved women list

1. Badda 138 28 3 2. Bande Baher Char 92 19 2 3. Barail 98 20 2 4. Nilokhi 126 25 3 5. Kadoir 140 28 3 Total 594 120 13

3.3 Variables of the Study Measurable characteristics of a population that may vary from element to element either in magnitude or in quality are called variables (Ahmed et al., 2004). The success of a research to a considerable extent depends on the exact selection of the variables. A research hypothesis contains at least two elements as independent variable and dependent variable. An independent variable is the factor which is manipulated by the experimenter to ascertain its relationship to an observed phenomenon. A dependent variable is the factor which appears, disappears or varies as the experimenter introduces, removes or varies the independent variable (Townsend, 1953). The dependent variable of the study is “Participation in homestead vegetable cultivation” and independent variables were: age, level of education, family size, family income, farm size, knowledge of homestead vegetables cultivation, cosmopoliteness, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness.

3.4 Measurement of Variables In order to conduct a study in accordance with the objectives it was necessary to measure the variables. The procedures of measuring the variables have been described below:

3.4.1 Measurement of Independent Variables The independent variables of this study were eleven selected characteristics of rural women of Brahmanbaria district as mentioned earlier. Procedure for measuring independent variables has been discussed below:

3.4.1.1 Age The age of a respondent was measured in terms of actual years from her birth to the time of interview on the basis of her response. A unit score was assigned for each year of one`s age (Akter, 2003). This variable appears in question no. 1 of the interview schedule.

3.4.1.2 Education Education of rural women was measured by the number of years of successful schooling. A score of one was assigned for each year of formal schooling completed by a respondent (Sharmin, 2005). For example, if a respondent passed the SSC examination, he was given a score of 10. Besides, a respondent did not know how to read and write her education score was assigned as 0 (zero), a score of 0.5 was given to those respondent who did not know how to read and write but could sign her name only. This variable has been presented in the question no. 2 of the interview schedule.

3.4.1.3 Family Size The family size of a respondent was measured by the total number of her family members including herself, her husband, children and other dependents eating and staying together. This variable has been shown in the question no. 3 of the interview schedule.

3.4.1.4 Family Income Family income of a respondent was measured on the basis of total yearly earning from agriculture and other sources (service, business, daily labor etc.) by the respondent herself and other family members. For calculation of income score, one (1) score was assigned for each one thousand taka (question no. 4 of the interview schedule). For example, if a respondent mentioned that her annual family income is Tk. 1, 75,000 then her annual family income score would be 175.

3.4.1.5 Farm Size Farm size was measured as the size of her farm on which rural women continued her farming operations during the period of study. It included the area of homestead, land cultivation under her or her family cultivation as well as those obtained from others as borga, lease and also given to others as borga.

The area was measured in terms of hectare. The farm size of a respondent was measured by using the following formula: FS = A + B + 1/2(C + D) + E Where FS = Farm size A= Homestead area (including pond & garden) B= Land under own cultivation C= Land given to others on borga D= Land taken from others on borga E= Land taken from others on lease

Actual size of the farm was considered as the score of the farm size. For example if a respondent had 0.05 ha of land then his score was 0.05. The data were first recorded in local unit and then converted to hectare (question no. 5 of the interview schedule).

3.4.1.6 Agricultural Knowledge Agricultural knowledge of the respondents was measured by asking 15 (fifteen) selected questions and 2 score was assigned to each of the questions. Full marks was given to appropriate answer and partial score was given for partially correct answer whereas 0 (zero) score was given to wrong or no answer. Agricultural knowledge score could range from 0 to 30 where 0 indicated very low knowledge to 30 indicated very high knowledge (question no. 6 of the interview schedule).

3.4.1.7 Cosmopoliteness Cosmopoliteness of a respondent was measured by computing a cosmopoliteness score. The cosmopoliteness score was assigned on the basis of places and frequency of her visit external to her own social system. The seven places including outside own village, other union, own

34 upazila, other upazila, own district town and other district town and capital city. Cosmopoliteness score was computed in the following manner.

Place of visit Scoring system 0 = Not even once a month 1 = 1 time/ month 1. Visit to other villages 2 = 2-3 times/ month 3 = 4 times or above/month

0 = Not even once a month 1 = 1-2 times/month 2. Visit to other union 2 = 3-5 times/month 3 = 5 times or above/ month

0 = Not even once a month 1 = 1 time/ month 3. Visit to own upazila sadar 2 = 2-3 times/ month 3 = 4 times or above/month

0 = Not even once a year 1 = 1 time/year 4. Visit to other upazila sadar 2 = 2 times/ year 3 = 3 times or above/ year

0 = Not even once a year 1 = 1 time/ year 5. Visit to own district town 2 = 2-3 times/ year 3 = 4 times or above/ year 0 = Not even once a year 1 = 1 time/ year 6. Visit to other district town 2 = 2 times/year 3 = 3 times or above/ year 0 = Not even once a year 1 = 1 time/ year 7. Visit to capital city (Dhaka) 2 = Twice a year 3 = 3 times or above / year

The score obtained for all the 7 items were added together to get the cosmopoliteness score of an individual. The cosmopoliteness score of the farmers ranged from 0 to 21 where 0 indicating no cosmopoliteness and 21 indicating very high cosmopoliteness (question no. 7 of the interview schedule).

3.4.1.8 Extension Media Contact It was measured as one‟s extent of exposure with different information sources. It was assumed that the more contact an individual would have with different information sources, the more she becomes educated and knowledgeable. An extension contact score was computed for each respondents of her extent of contact with 15 selected media. Each respondent was asked to mention the frequency of her contact with each of the 15 selected media. The scale used for computing the extension contact score of a respondent is given below:

Sl. Type of Extension Media Extent of use Score No. Not even once 0 Sub Assistant Agriculture 1 time 1 1. Officer(SAAO) per month 2-3 times 2 4 or more times 3 Not even once 0 Agricultural Extension Officer 1 time 1 2. (AEO) per year 2 times 2 3 or more times 3 Not even once 0 Upazila Agriculture Officer 1 time 1 3. (UAO) per year 2 times 2 3 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 4. Local leader per month 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 Seed/ Fertilizer dealer per 1-2 time 1 5. month 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 6. Group discussion per year 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1 time 1 7. Field day per year 2 times 2 3 or more times 3

Not even once 0 1 time per three years 1 8. Result demonstration 1 time per two year 2 1 time per year 3 Not even once 0 Participation in Agricultural 1 time 1 9. training course in life 2-3 times 2 4 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 10. Daily paper per month 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 11. Radio per week 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 12. Television per month 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 13. Poster per year 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1-2 time 1 14. Leaflet per year 3-4 times 2 5 or more times 3 Not even once 0 1 time per three years 1 15. Agricultural fair 1 time per two year 2 1 time per year 3

The score obtained for all 15 selected media by a respondent were summed together to compute her extension exposure scores. The extension contact scores of the respondent could vary from 0 to 45 where, „0‟ indicating no extension contact and „45‟ indicating high extension contact (question no. 8 of the interview schedule).

3.4.1.9 Agricultural Training Agricultural training score of a respondent was measured by the number of days that a respondent had received agricultural training in her entire life. It was indicated by the total number of days of receiving agricultural training by a respondent under different training programs. If a respondent did not participated any training courses her score was 0 and if a respondent attained 1 course with 5 days duration her assigned score was 5. If a respondent attained 2 courses with 5 days duration her assigned score was 10. This variable has been shown in the question no. 9 of the interview schedule.

3.4.1.10 Decision Making Role Decision making role of rural women was measured by a scale with 4 options of 6 items. Here the score was 0 for no decision making role, 1 for taking decision by discussing with family members, 2 for taking decision discussing with husband and 3 for taking decision solely. Decision making role score ranged from 0 to 18 where 0 indicated no decision making role and 18 indicated highest decision making role. This variable has been shown in the question no. 10 of the interview schedule.

3.4.1.11 Innovativeness Innovativeness is the degree to which an individual adopts an innovation relatively earlier than other members in a social system (Rogers, 1995). In this study, innovativeness of a respondent was measured on the basis of the period of 5 improved agricultural technologies (question no. 11 of the interview schedule). The scores were assigned on the basis of time required by an individual to adopt each of the technologies in the following manner: Period of Adoption Assigned Score Within one year after awareness 5 After one year to within two year after awareness 4 After two year to within three year after awareness 3 After three year to within four year after awareness 2 After four year after awareness 1 No use 0

Innovativeness score of a respondent was obtained by adding her scores for adoption of all the 5 improved agricultural technologies. Innovativeness score of a respondent could range from 0 to 25, where, „0‟ indicating no innovativeness and „25‟ indicating very high innovativeness.

3.4.2 Measurement of Dependent Variable Participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation was the dependent variable of the study. It was measured by the addition of a) Participation of rural women in homestead winter vegetable cultivation and b) Participation of rural women in homestead summer vegetable cultivation. a) Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Winter Vegetable Cultivation Participation of rural women in homestead winter vegetable cultivation of a respondent was measured by computing the nature of participation in 10 selected operations and production participation in 10 selected winter vegetable during last year. Scoring was made by following the formula developed by Alam (2001) for participation in winter vegetables cultivation.

Participation in winter vegetable cultivation score = ∑ OP × ∑ PP Where, OP = Operation participation score PP = Production participation score

Operation participation score was computed in the following way: Nature of participation Score assigned Never participation 0 Rarely participation 1 Occasional participation 2 Regular participation 3

As ten operations was considered in this study, the nature of participation score of a respondent could ranged from 0 to 30, while 0 indicates no participation and 30 indicates the highest participation in homestead cultivation in nature.

Production participation score was assigned in the following way: Duration of production (Continuous) Score assigned 1 year 1 2 year 2 3-5 year 3 Above 5 year 4

As 10 winter vegetables were selected for the study, production participation score of a respondent could ranged from 0 to 40, while 0 indicating no production participation and 40 indicating the highest production participation score. Thus participation of winter vegetable cultivation score of respondent could ranged from 0 to 1200, while 0 indicating no participation and 1200 indicating the highest participation in winter vegetable cultivation. b) Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Summer Vegetable Cultivation Participation of rural women in homestead summer vegetable cultivation of a respondent was measured by computing the nature of participation in 10 selected operations and production participation in 10 selected summer vegetable during last year. Scoring was made by following the formula developed by Alam (2001) for participation in summer vegetables cultivation. The measurement procedure of homestead summer vegetable cultivation was same as homestead winter vegetable cultivation. Thus participation of summer vegetable cultivation score of respondent could ranged from 0 to 1200, while 0 indicating no participation and 1200 indicating the highest participation in summer vegetable cultivation.

40 c) Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Finally participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation was measured by adding the participation of homestead winter and summer vegetable cultivation score.

Thus participation of homestead vegetable cultivation score of a respondent could ranged from 0 to 2400, while 0 indicating no participation and 2400 indicating the highest participation in homestead cultivation.

3.5 Measurement of Problem Faced by the Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Ten problems of homestead vegetable cultivation activities in different aspect were considered for this study. This was measured by using a 5 point scale. Score were assigned to 4 for very high problem, 3 for high problem, 2 for medium problem, 1 for low problem, and 0 for no problem at all. To determine the rank order of the identified problems, Problem Faced Index (PFI) for each problem was measured using the following formula:

4 3 2 1 0×0) Where, PFI= Problem Faced Index

P4 = No. of the respondent faced very high problem

P3 = No. of the respondent faced high problem

P2 = No. of the respondent faced medium problem

P1 = No. of the respondent faced low problem

P0 = No. of the respondent faced no problem

As there were 120 respondents, so Problem Faced Index (PFI) could range 0- 480. Where 0 indicated no problem and 480 indicated very high problem.

3.6 Instruments for Data Collection Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Both open and closed form questions were included in the schedule based on the measurement procedures discussed earlier in section 3.4.

Before finalization, the interview schedule was pre-tested with 10 rural women of the study area. On the basis of the pre-test experiences necessary corrections, modifications and alterations were made before finalizing the interview schedule for final data collection. During modification of the schedule, valuable suggestions were received from the research supervisor and relevant experts. The interview schedule was then printed in its final form and multiplied. A copy of interview schedule in English version was placed in Appendix A.

3.7 Collection of Data Data were collected personally by the researcher herself through face to face interview. To familiarize with the study area and for getting local support, the researcher took help from the local leaders and the field staffs of Upazila Agriculture Office. The researcher made all possible efforts to explain the purpose of the study to the farmers. Rapport was established with the farmers prior to interview and the objectives were clearly explained by using local language as far as possible. Data were collected during the period of 18th July, 2014 to 25th August, 2014.

3.8 Data Processing After completion of field survey, all the data were coded, compiled and tabulated according to the objectives of the study. Local units were converted into standard units. All the individual responses to questions of the interview schedule were transferred in to a master sheet to facilitate tabulation, categorization and organization. In case of qualitative data, appropriate scoring technique was followed to convert the data into quantitative form.

3.9 Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. The statistical measures such as range, means, standard deviation, number and percentage distribution were used to describe the variables. Pearson‟s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation (r) was used in order to explore the relationships between the concerned variables. Five percent (0.05) level of probability was the basis for rejecting any null hypothesis throughout the study. The SPSS computer package was used to perform all these process.

3.10 Statement of Hypothesis As defined by Goode and Hatt (1952) „A hypothesis is a proposition, which can be put to a test to determine its validity.‟ It may prove correct or incorrect of a proposition. In any event, however, it leads to an empirical test. Hypothesis are always in declarative sentence form and they relate either generally of specifically variables to sentence form and they relate either generally or specifically variables to variables. Hypothesis may be broadly divided into two categories, namely, research hypothesis and null hypothesis.

3.10.1 Research Hypothesis Research hypothesis states a possible relationship between the variables being studied or a difference between experimental treatments that the researcher expects to emerge. The following research hypothesis was put forward to know the relationships between each of the eleven selected characteristics of the rural women and their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. “Each of the eleven selected characteristics of the rural women will have significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.”

3.10.2 Null Hypothesis A null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the concerned variables. The following null hypothesis was undertaken for the present study “There is no relationship between the selected characteristics of rural women and their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.” “The selected characteristics were age, level of education, family size, family income, farm size, knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation, cosmopoliteness, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness.”

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The findings of the study and logical interpretations of the results have been presented in this chapter. Findings were recorded in accordance with the objective of the study. This chapter has been described in four sections. The first section deals with the selected characteristics of the respondents, while the second section deals with their extent of participation in homestead vegetable cultivation have been discussed. In the third section, the relationship between each the selected characteristics of rural women and their extent of participation in homestead vegetable cultivation has been discussed. The problem faced by the rural women in participating homestead vegetable cultivation has been discussed in the fourth section.

4.1 Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women Eleven characteristics of the rural women were selected to find out their relationship with the participation of homestead vegetable cultivation. The selected characteristics included age, level of education, family size, family income, farm size, knowledge of homestead vegetables cultivation, cosmopoliteness, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness. These characteristics of the rural women are described in this section. A summary profile of the characteristics of rural women (independent variables) is shown in table 4.1.

Table 4.1 Salient features of the selected Characteristics of the Rural Women (n=l20) Sl. Characteristics Measuring Possible Observed Mean Standard No. unit range range deviation 1. Age Year Unknown 22-58 34 8.28 2. Level of Year of Unknown 0.50-12 7.29 3.13 education schooling 3. Family size No. of Unknown 4-9 5.64 1.28 member 4. Family income „000‟ taka Unknown 58.50- 127.19 44.70 241.20 5. Farm size Hectare Unknown 0.04-2.20 .70 0.40 6. Knowledge of Score 0-30 10-27 17.01 3.69 homestead vegetable cultivation 7. Cosmopoliteness Score 0-21 6-17 10.65 2.28 8. Extension Score 0-45 9-34 17.65 4.55 contact 9. Agricultural No. of Unknown 0-6 1.91 1.67 training days 10. Decision making Score 0-18 6-16 11.50 1.82 role 11. Innovativeness Score 0-25 11-23 16.29 2.81

4.1.1 Age The age of the rural women ranged from 22 to 58 years, with a mean with 34 years and the standard deviation was 8.28. On the basis of their age, the rural women were classified into three categories: “young” (up to 35), “middle aged” (36- 50) and “old aged” (above 50). The distribution of the rural women according to their age is shown in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Age

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Young Aged (Up to 35) 79 65.8 Middle Aged (36-50) 34 28.3 34.0 8.28 Old Aged (Above 50) 7 5.8 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.2 indicated that the highest proportion (65.8 percent) of the respondents felt in the young aged category compared to 28.3 percent middle aged and 5.8 percent old aged category. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (94.1 percent) the rural women were young to middle aged. It was found that young aged respondents are more interested in participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. The extension agents can make using of these views and opinions in designing their extension activities.

4.1.2 Level of Education The education score of the rural women ranged from 0.5-12, with a mean of 7.29 and standard deviation 3.13. Based on their education scores, the rural women were classified into five categories namely illiterate (0), can sign only (0.5), primary education (1-5), secondary education (6-10) and above secondary (above 10). The distribution of the rural women according to their education is shown in Table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Education

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Illiterate (0) 0 0

Can sign only (0.5) 4 3.3 Primary level (1-5) 31 25.8 7.29 3.13 Secondary level (6-10) 70 58.3 Above secondary level 15 12.5 (above 10) Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.3 shows that the highest proportion (58.3 percent) of the women belonged to the secondary education category compared to 25.8 percent and 12.5 percent of the rural women belonged to primary level and above secondary level education respectively. Rest 3.3 percent were can sign only. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (84.1 percent) the rural women were primary level to secondary level.

4.1.3 Family Size Family size of the rural women ranged from 4-9, with a mean of 5.64 and standard deviation 1.28. Based on their family size scores, the rural women were classified into three categories namely small (up to 4), medium (5-7) and high (above 7). The distribution of the rural women according to their family size is shown in Table 4.4.

Table 4.4 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Family Size

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Small (Up to 4) 25 20.8 Medium (5-7) 88 73.3 5.64 1.28 Large (Above 7) 7 5.8 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.4 shows that the highest proportion (73.3 percent) of the women belonged to the medium families consisting of 5 to 7 members compared to 20.8 percent and 5.8 percent of the rural women belonged to small family and large family respectively. Women with medium family size spent more time in homestead vegetable cultivation compared to small and large family. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (94.1 percent) the rural women were medium family to small family.

4.1.4 Family Income Family income of the respondents ranged from 58.50 to 241.20 with a mean of 127.19 and standard deviation of 44.70. Based on their family income, the respondents were classified into three categories: low income (up to100), medium income (100 - 220) and high income (above 220) which are shown in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5 Distribution of Rural Women According to Annual Income of their Family

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low income (up to 100) 39 32.5 Medium income (100-220) 74 61.7 127.19 44.70 High income (above 220) 7 5.8 Total 120 100.00

Data from Table 4.5 reveals that the highest proportion of the respondent (61.7 percent) had medium income while 32.5 percent had low income and only 5.8 percent had high income. In fact the overwhelming majority of the respondent (94.2 percent) women of the study area constituted medium to low income categories.

4.1.5 Farm Size Farm size of the rural women ranged from 0.04 to 2.20 hectares and the mean was 0.70 hectares with standard deviation of 0.40. According to the farm size of the rural women, they were classified into four categories as suggested by DAE (1999) “Marginal (up to 0.2)”, “Small (0.21-1)”, “Medium (1.1-3)” and “Large (>3)”. The distribution of the rural women according to their farm size is shown in Table 4.6.

Table 4.6 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Farm Size

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Marginal (up to 0.2) 2 1.7 Small (0.21-1) 6 5 Medium (1.1-3) 93 77.5 0.70 0.40 Large (>3) 19 15.8 Total 120 100

The Table 4.6 shows that highest proportion of the women belongs to medium farm size category (77.5 percent) compared to 15.8 percent of them having large farm size, 5 percent of them having small farm size and only 1.7 percent had marginal farm size.

4.1.6 Knowledge of Homestead Vegetables Cultivation Knowledge of homestead vegetables cultivation score of the rural women was computed on the basis of their knowledge about vegetable cultivation with 15 questions. Their score ranged from 10 to 27 against the possible range from 0 to 30. The average was 17.01 and standard deviation was 3.69. On the basis of knowledge of homestead vegetables cultivation scores, the rural women were categorized into three categories such as low knowledge (up to 14), medium knowledge (>14-20) and high knowledge (above 20). Table 4.7 represents the distribution of rural women according to their knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation.

Table 4.7 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Knowledge of Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low (up to 14) 19 15.8 Medium (>14-20) 77 64.2 17.01 3.69 High (above 20) 24 20 Total 120 100.00 Data presented in the Table 4.7 revealed that the majority (64.2 percent) of the women had medium knowledge regarding vegetable cultivation compared to 20 percent had high knowledge of homestead vegetables cultivation and 15.8 percent of the respondent women had low vegetable cultivation knowledge. The data also reveals that majority (84.2 percent) of the rural women had medium to high knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation. It was remarkable that the rural women of the study area were very conscious about homestead vegetable cultivation.

4.1.7 Cosmopoliteness Cosmopoliteness of the respondents ranged from 6 to 17 with a mean of 10.65 and standard deviation of 2.28. Based on their cosmopoliteness, the respondents were classified into three categories: low cosmopoliteness (up to 7), medium cosmopoliteness (8 - 14) and high cosmopoliteness (above 14) which are shown in Table 4.8

Table 4.8 Distribution of Rural Women According to Cosmopoliteness

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low cosmopoliteness (upto 7) 11 9.2 Medium cosmopoliteness (8-14) 104 86.7 10.65 2.28 High cosmopoliteness (above 14) 5 4.2 Total 120 100.00

Data from Table 4.8 revealed that the highest proportion of the respondent (86.7 percent) had medium cosmopoliteness compared to 9.2 percent had low cosmopoliteness and 4.2 percent had high cosmopoliteness. In fact the overwhelming majority of the respondent (95.9 percent) are of the study area constituted medium to low cosmopoliteness.

4.1.8 Extension Contact Extension contact scores of the respondent rural women were computed on the basis of their extent of contact of 15 sources of extension information The observed extension contact scores of the rural women ranged from 9 to 34 against the possible range from 0 to 45, the mean and standard deviation were 17.65 and 4.55 respectively. According to this score, the rural women were classified into three categories: “low extension contact” (up to 13), “medium extension contact” (14-26) and “high extension contact” (above 26). The distribution of the rural women according to their extension contact is shown in Table 4.9.

Table 4.9 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Extension Contact

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low contact (Up to 13) 17 14.2 Medium contact (14- 26) 99 82.5 17.65 4.55 High contact (Above 26) 4 3.3 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.9 indicated that the highest proportion (82.5 percent) of the respondent women of the study area had medium extension contact compared to 14.2 percent of the respondents had low extension contact. Only 3.3 percent of the respondent women of the study area had high extension contact. The findings of the study also indicated that overwhelming majority (96.7) percent of the respondents had medium and low extension contact for getting necessary agricultural information. Extension contact is a very effective and powerful source of receiving information about various new and modem technologies.

4.1.9 Agricultural Training The observed training exposure score of the rural women ranged from 0 to 6 with a mean of 1.91 and standard deviation of 1.67. Based on the training exposure scores, the rural women were classified into three categories: “no training” (0), “low training” (1-3) and “medium training” (above 3). The distribution of the rural women according to their agricultural training score is presented in Table 4.10.

Table 4.10 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Agricultural Training

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent No training (0) 24 20 Low training (1- 3) 77 64.2 Medium training (above 3) 19 15.8 1.91 1.67 Total 120 100.00

Data contained in Table 4.10 indicated that the highest proportion (64.2 percent) of the respondents was having low agricultural training exposure compared to 20 percent of them having no agricultural training. Only 15.8 percent had medium agricultural training. Training increases knowledge and skills of the rural women in a specific subject matter area. Individuals who gain medium agricultural training are likely to be more competent in performing in different activities. But the fact that rural women who received no training, need attention of the authorities of extension services (GOs and NGOs) in the country. Providing adequate training on appropriate subject matter is likely to increase the knowledge of the rural women.

4.1.10 Decision Making Role The observed decision making role score of the respondents ranged from 6 to 16 against the possible range from 0 to 18 with a mean of 11.50 and the standard deviation of 1.82. On the basis of decision making ability they were classified into three categories: low decision making ability (up to 9), medium decision making ability (9-12) and high decision making ability (above 12). The distribution of the rural women according to their decision making role is shown in Table 4.11.

Table 4.11 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Decision Making Role

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low (Up to 9) 8 6.6 Medium (9-12) 79 65.9 11.50 1.82 High (Above 12) 33 27.5 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.11 indicated that the highest (65.9 percent) of the respondents were having medium decision making role compared to 27.5 percent of them having high decision making role and 6.6 percent having low decision making role. Data also revealed that majority (93.4 percent) of the respondents had medium to high decision making role. So in the present context it can be said that women can contribute their valuable decision into their family in medium to high rate.

4.1.11 Innovativeness The observed innovativeness score of the respondents ranged from 11 to 23 against the possible range from 0 to 25 with a mean of 16.29 and the standard deviation of 2.81. On the basis of innovativeness they were classified into three categories: low innovativeness (up to 14), medium innovativeness (15-20) and high innovativeness (above 20). The distribution of the rural women according to their innovativeness is shown in Table 4.12.

Table 4.12 Distribution of Rural Women According to their Innovativeness

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low innovativeness (Up to 14) 34 28.3 Medium innovativeness (15-20) 77 64.2 16.29 2.81 High innovativeness (Above 20) 9 7.5 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in the Table 4.12 showed that highest proportion (64.2 percent) of the women had medium innovativeness compared to 28.3 percent had low innovativeness and 7.5 percent high innovativeness. The table also showed that overwhelming majority (92.5) percent of the respondent women had medium to low innovativeness.

4.2 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Participation in homestead vegetable cultivation was determined in two dimensions, viz; homestead winter vegetable cultivation and homestead summer vegetable cultivation. Summary profile of these two dimensions with overall homestead vegetable cultivation presented in Table 4.13

Table 4.13 Summary Profile of Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Dependent Measuring Possible Observed Mean Standard variables units range range deviation 1.Participation in Score 0-1200 420-1008 655.07 104.82 homestead winter vegetable cultivation 2.Participation in Score 0-1200 357-1008 618.95 98.14 homestead summer vegetable cultivation 3.Participation in Score 0-2400 853-2016 1274.0 187.19 homestead overall 2 vegetable cultivation

4.2.1 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Winter Vegetable Cultivation The participation scores of the rural women in homestead winter vegetable cultivation ranged from 420-1008 against possible range of 0-1200 with a mean of 655.07 and standard deviation of 104.82. On the basis of participation scores, the rural women were classified into three categories as low, medium and high participation and shown in Table 4.14.

Table 4.14 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of Participation in Homestead Winter Vegetable Cultivation

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low participation (Up to 600) 36 30 Medium participation (601-800) 75 62.5 655.07 104.82 High participation (Above 800) 9 7.5 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.14 shows that the highest percentage (62.5%) of the rural women had medium participation in winter vegetable cultivation compared to 30 percent of low participation and only 7.5 percent high participation. Education increases the horizon of knowledge of an individual. Most of the respondents maintained low to medium communication with the extension agents. They had low to medium income and farm size. Besides, winter vegetables can be cultivated easily than other season. So, most of the respondents were participated moderately with this activity.

4.2.2 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Summer Vegetable Cultivation The participation scores of the rural women in homestead summer vegetable cultivation ranged from 357-1008 against possible range of 0-1200 with a mean of 618.95 and standard deviation of 98.14. On the basis of participation scores, the rural women were classified into three categories as low, medium and high participation and shown in Table 4.15. Table 4.15 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of Participation in Homestead Summer Vegetables Cultivation

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low participation (Up to 550) 27 22.5 Medium participation (551-750) 88 73.3 618.95 98.14 High participation (Above 750) 5 4.2 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.15 shows that the highest percentage (73.3%) of the rural women had medium participation in summer vegetable cultivation compared to 22.5 percent of low participation and only 4.2 percent high participation.

4.2.3 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The participation scores of the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation ranged from 853-2016 against possible range of 0-2400 with a mean of 1274.02 and standard deviation of 187.19. On the basis of participation scores, the rural women were classified into three categories as low, medium and high participation and shown in Table 4.16.

Table 4.16 Classification of Respondent According of their Extent of Participation in Homestead Vegetables Cultivation

Rural Women Category Mean SD Number Percent Low participation (Up to 1200) 44 36.7 Medium participation (1201-1500) 63 52.5 1274.02 187.19 High participation (Above 1500) 13 10.8 Total 120 100.00

Data presented in Table 4.16 shows that the highest percentage (52.5%) of the rural women had medium participation in vegetable cultivation compared to 36.7 percent of low participation and only 10.8 percent high participation. Education and extension contact might be change attitude of clients radically and she becomes interested to participation with productive activities which has been reflected here.

4.3 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of Rural Women and their Participation of Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

The purpose of this section is to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics of the rural women and their participation of homestead vegetable cultivation. The selected characteristics constituted the independent variables and the participation of homestead vegetable cultivation was the dependent variable.

Karl Pearson correlation co-efficient „r‟ was used to test the null hypothesis between the two concerned variables. A hypothesis was rejected when the observed 'r' value was greater than the tabulated value of 'r' at 0.05 level of probability.

The summary of the results of the correlation co-efficient of the selected characteristics of the rural women with their participation of homestead vegetable cultivation have been presented in Table 4.17. The correlation matrix is presented in Appendix -B.

Table 4.17 Correlation Co-efficient of the Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women with their Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

Tabulated Value of 'r' at Correlation Dependent Independent Variables 118 degree of freedom Co-efficient Variable 0.05 level 0.01 level Age 0.004NS NS Level of education 0.128 Family size -0.069NS Family Income 0.132NS Farm Size 0.347** Knowledge of homestead 0.171NS 0.179 0.234 vegetables cultivation NS Cosmopoliteness 0.144 Extension contact 0.226* Agricultural training 0.246** Decision making role 0.226*

Innovativeness 0.426**

Participation Participation of homestead vegetable cultivation women rural the by NS Non significant *Significant at 5 percent (0.05) level ** Significant at 1 percent (0.01) level

4.4.1 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women and their Participation in Overall Homestead Vegetable Cultivation

Age and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.004) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that age of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Education and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.128) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that education of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Family Size and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (-0.069) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that family size of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Family Income and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.132) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that family income of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Farm Size and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.347) was greater than the tabulated value (r=0.234) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.01 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17 and the relationship showed a positive trend. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicated that farm size of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Knowledge of Homestead Vegetable Cultivation and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.171) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Cosmopoliteness and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.144) was smaller than that of the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was accepted and it was concluded that cosmopoliteness of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Extension Contact and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.226) was greater than the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17 with a positive trend. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicated that extension contact of the rural women had a significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Agricultural Training and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.246) was greater than the tabulated value (r=0.234) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.01 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17 and the relationship showed a positive trend. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicated that agricultural training of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Decision Making Role and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.226) was greater than the tabulated value (r=0.179) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.05 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17 with a positive trend. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicated that decision making role of the rural women had a significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

Innovativeness and Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The computed value of „r‟ (0.426) was greater than the tabulated value (r=0.234) with 118 degrees of freedom at 0.01 level of probability as shown in Table 4.17 and the relationship showed a positive trend. Hence, the concerned null hypothesis was rejected. The findings indicated that innovativeness of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation.

4.4 Problem Faced by the Rural Women to undertake the Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The problem faced index (PFI) was calculated to find out major problems confronted by the rural women for participating homestead vegetable cultivation. It is obvious that the rural women face a number of problems or constrains in performing in homestead vegetable cultivation activities, the extent and types of problems are diversified as they are mostly controlled by nature. However, after discussion with the respondents ten major problems of homestead vegetable cultivation were selected to measure the extent of problem faced. In order to understanding the comparative importance, the problems have been arranged in rank order according their PFI as shown in Table 4.18. Table 4.18 Problem Faced Index of Selected Problem of the Respondent in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Sl. Problems No. of Rural women PFI Rank No. Very High Medium Low Very order high Low 1. Lack of credit 42 68 4 6 0 386 1 2. Lack of technical 5 76 34 5 0 321 2 knowledge 3. Insect and disease 11 45 62 2 0 305 3 infestation 4. Higher price of 1 46 70 3 0 285 4 inputs 5. Lack of quality 10 12 84 14 0 258 5 seeds and seedlings 6. Cattle and goat 0 13 83 23 1 228 6 destroy the vegetable 7. Lack of 4 9 48 51 8 190 7 homestead land 8. Lower fertility of 0 4 47 69 0 175 8 homestead land 9. Lower market 1 3 37 79 0 166 9 price of products 10. Lack of required 2 3 19 95 1 150 10 information in time

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary of the Findings 5.1.1 Selected Characteristics of the Rural Women Age : The highest proportion (65.8 percent) of the respondents felt in the young aged category compared to 28.3 percent middle aged and 5.8 percent old aged category.

Education : The highest proportion (58.3 percent) of the women belonged to the secondary education category compared to 25.8 percent and 12.5 percent of the rural women belonged to primary level and above secondary level education respectively. Rest 3.3 percent were can sign only.

Family Size : The highest proportion (73.3 percent) of the women belonged to the medium families consisting of 5 to 7 members compared to 20.8 percent and 5.8 percent of the rural women belonged to small family and large family respectively.

Family Income : The highest proportion of the respondent (61.7 percent) had medium income while 32.5 percent had low income and only 5.8 percent had high income. In fact the overwhelming majority of the respondent 94.2 percent women are of the study area constituted medium to low income categories.

Farm Size : The highest proportion of the women belongs to medium farm size category (77.5 percent) compared to 15.8 percent of them having large farm size, 5 percent of them having small farm size and only 1.7 percent had marginal farm size.

Knowledge of Homestead Vegetables Cultivation : The highest majority (64.2) percent of the women had medium knowledge regarding agricultural cultivation compared to 20 percent had high agricultural knowledge and 15.8 percent of the women had low vegetable cultivation knowledge.

Cosmopoliteness : The highest proportion of the respondent (86.7 percent) had medium cosmopoliteness compared to 9.2 percent had low cosmopoliteness and 4.2 percent had high cosmopoliteness.

Extension Contact : The highest proportion (82.5 percent) of the respondent of the study area had medium extension contact compared to 14.2 percent of the respondents had low extension contact. Only 3.3 percent of the respondent women of the study area had high extension contact.

Agricultural Training : The highest proportion (64.2 percent) of the respondents was having low agricultural training exposure compared to 20 percent of them having no agricultural training. Only 15.8 percent had medium agricultural training.

Decision Making Role : The highest (65.9 percent) of the respondents was having medium decision making role compared to 27.5 percent of them having high decision making role and 6.6 percent having low decision making role.

Innovativeness : The highest proportion (64.2 percent) of the women had medium innovativeness compared to 28.3 percent had low innovativeness and 7.5 percent high innovativeness.

5.1.2 Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation 5.1.2.1 Participation in Homestead Winter Vegetable Cultivation The highest percentage (62.5%) of the rural women had medium participation in winter vegetable cultivation compared to 30 percent of low participation and only 7.5 percent high participation.

5.1.2.2 Participation in Homestead Summer Vegetable Cultivation The highest percentage (73.3%) of the rural women had medium participation in summer vegetable cultivation compared to 22.5 percent of low participation and only 4.2 percent high participation.

5.1.2.3 Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation The highest percentage (52.5%) of the rural women had medium participation in overall vegetable cultivation compared to 36.7 percent of low participation and only 10.8 percent high participation.

5.1.3 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of Rural Women and their Participation in Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Correlation analysis indicated that five out of eleven selected characteristics of the rural women namely farm size, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness had significant positive relationship with their homestead vegetable cultivation. Other variables namely age, level of education, family size, family income, knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation and cosmopoliteness had no significant relationship with their homestead vegetable cultivation.

5.1.4 Problem Faced by the Rural Women to undertake the Homestead Vegetable Cultivation Among the ten selected problem ‘lack of credit’ was ranked first followed by ‘lack of technical knowledge’, ‘insect and disease infestation’, ‘higher price of inputs’, ‘lack of quality seeds and seedlings’, ‘cattle and goat destroy the vegetables’ ‘lack of homestead land’, ‘lower fertility of homestead land’ and ‘lower market price of products’ while ‘lack of required information in time’ had the last position in order of ranking.

5.2 Conclusion A conclusion may be looked upon as an inference based on the findings of empirical study, pertinent facts and unbiased judgments. On the basis of the findings of the study the logical interpretation of their meanings and other relevant facts are promoted the researcher to draw the following conclusion: 1. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (94.1 percent) the rural women were young to middle aged. Age of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. It may, therefore, be concluded that proper emphasis should be given on the rural women of all age categories by the extension workers in order to encourage participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. 2. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (84.1 percent) the rural women were primary level to secondary level. Education of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. According to this result we can draw a conclusion that high literacy rate as well as higher educational level among the rural women of the study area does not have much influence in their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Though education of the rural women does not have direct effect on their participation in different homestead vegetable cultivation, but it can indirectly help the rural women to become aware of the benefits of

homestead vegetable cultivation. So, necessary steps should be taken to improve the educational level of the rural women of the study area. 3. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (94.1 percent) the rural women were medium family to small family. Family size of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it may be concluded that the rural women who had large family involved more in homestead vegetable cultivation rather than small family. 4. The overwhelming majority of the respondent 94.2 percent women are of the study area constituted medium to low income categories. Family income of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. 5. The findings indicated that a large proportion of (93.3 percent) the rural women were medium to large farm size. Farm size of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it may be concluded that the rural women had large farm size involved more in homestead vegetable cultivation. 6. The findings indicated that majority (84.2 percent) of the rural women had medium to high knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation. Knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. 7. The overwhelming majority of the respondent 95.9 percent women are of the study area constituted medium to low cosmopoliteness. Cosmopoliteness of the rural women had no significant relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. The findings of the study therefore, lead to the conclusion that for successful participation in homestead vegetable cultivation, the rural women of the study area need to be more cosmopolite for their better awareness of recent technologies related to homestead vegetable cultivation. For this,

field-days, tours, fairs etc. should be arranged to increase the cosmopoliteness among the rural women. 8. The findings of the study indicated that overwhelming majority (96.7) percent of the respondents had medium and low extension contact for getting necessary agricultural information. Extension contact of the rural women had a significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Hence, it may be concluded that extension contacts increase the outlook of the rural women which lead them to adopt new technologies related to homestead vegetable cultivation. 9. Data indicated that the highest proportion (64.2 percent) of the respondents was having low agricultural training. Agricultural training of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. The rural women having high training gained more knowledge on homestead vegetable cultivation and as a result, they adopt new technologies related to homestead vegetable cultivation very swiftly. Considering the above facts, it may be concluded that the participation of the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation can be increased if more agricultural training is conducted for the rural women of the study area. 10. Data also revealed that majority (93.4 percent) of the respondents had medium to high decision making role. Decision making role of the rural women had a significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. 11. The overwhelming majority (92.5) percent of the respondent women had medium to low innovativeness. Innovativeness of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. It may be concluded that the innovativeness of the rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation can be increased if new technology is taken for the rural women of the study area.

12. The findings of the study revealed that vast majority of rural women (89.2 percent) had low to medium participation in homestead overall vegetable cultivation. Participation of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their farm size, extension contact, agricultural training, decision making role and innovativeness. Therefore, it may be concluded that it would be a wiseful thinking to increase the overall situation of participation by taking care of the factors related to increase of participation among the rural women.

5.3 Recommendations Based on the findings of the present study, the following recommendations were made:

5.3.1 Recommendations for Policy Implications Recommendations based on the findings and conclusions of the study are presented below: i. Homestead vegetable cultivation is an important source of nutrients that make diets for human beings more balanced and also a good earning source for the family. But in the present study, majority of the rural women had low to medium participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. It is, therefore, recommended that necessary steps should be taken to motivate the rural women in participating homestead vegetable cultivation. ii. Farm size of the rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it may be recommended that GOs and NGOs should take necessary motivational program specially to small and medium farm sized rural women so that they can cultivate more vegetables in their homestead. iii. Extension contact of rural women had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it may be recommended that, DAE and other agriculture related

organizations should take necessary steps to enhance their extension contact with the rural women. Due to social system and religion, rural women are reluctant to come in contact with male extension worker. So, more women extension worker should be employed to make personal contact along with other enhance group and mass media. iv. Agricultural training had significant positive relationship with their participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it may be recommended that, DAE and other agriculture related organizations should organize necessary training and skill development program like training on vegetable cultivation, fertilizer application etc. so that the rural women could increase vegetable cultivation in their homestead as well as can increase their family income. v. Extension workers must be well trained on the newly released vegetable cultivation practices/techniques as well as the running techniques so as to fit them as a credible source of information about the techniques and to make them skilled to implement/ solve any problem of the rural women.

5.3.2 Recommendations for Further Study Short term and sporadic study being conducted in some specific location cannot provide all information for the proper understanding of the rural women towards the participation in homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, the following recommendations were made for further study: I. The present study was conducted in five selected villages of Brahmanbaria district. It is strongly felt that study of this nature be replicated in other parts of Bangladesh. II. This study investigated the relationship of eleven personal and socio- economic characteristics of the rural women with their participation of homestead vegetable cultivation. Therefore, it is recommended that further study should be conducted involving other characteristics in this regard to better interpret the unexplained variations.

III. Participation of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation may be determined by using other ways and methods which may be used in conducting further research. IV. The study was conducted on female farmers but male farmers are equally important. So, a similar study may be conducted with male farmers.

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APPENDICES

Appendix - A

AN ENGLISH VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka- 1207

An Interview Schedule for a research study entitled

“PARTICIPATION OF RURAL WOMEN IN HOMESTEAD VEGETABLE CULTIVATION OF NABINAGAR UPAZILA UNDER BRAHMANBARIA DISTRICT” (Please answer the following questions and put-check mark whenever application)

Name: ...... Sample No : ...... Father’s Name/Husband’s Name: ...... Village: ...... Union: ...... Dist: ......

1. Age How old are you? ...... Years.

2. Level of Education Please mention your education status a) Can’t read and write ( ) b) Can sign only ( ) c) Attended Class up to ( )

3. Family Size

How many members are there in your family? …………………… no. members

4. Family Income How much money you received from the following sources last year A. Income from agricultural sources Sl. Income sources Production(kg) Value per Total No. unit(Tk) value(Tk) 1. Rice 2. Wheat 3. Jute 4. Sugarcane 5. Potato 6. Pulse crops 7. Vegetables 8. Livestock 9. Poultry 10. Fisheries 11. Others(specify) Sub Total (A)

B. Income from non-agricultural sources Sl. No. Sources of income Total value(Tk) 1. Service 2. Business 3. Day labour 4. Others(specify) Sub Total (B)

Total income = A + B = …………………….. Tk

5. Farm Size Please mention the area of your land according to use Sl. Type of land Land Area No. Local Unit Hectare A. Homestead land B. Own land under own cultivation C. Land given to others on borga D. Land taken from others on borga E. Land taken from others on lease Total=A + B + 1/2(C + D) + E

6. Knowledge of Homestead Vegetables Cultivation Please answer the following questions: Sl. Questions Assigned Obtained No. score (2) marks 1 Which place is best for homestead vegetable production? 2 How do you prepare land to cultivate homestead vegetables cultivation? 3 Mention the name of 4 summer vegetables. 4 Mention the name of 4 winter vegetables. 5 Name 2 year round vegetables. 6 Mention the name of two leafy vegetables. 7 Mention two vegetables which need support to grow up. 8 What precautions should need to follow at the time of pesticide application? 9 Mention the two qualities of good seeds. 10 Mention the name of two diseases of vegetables 11 Name four common fertilizers available at your local market. 12 Mention the name of two vitamin-A containing vegetables 13 What is the optimum time for planting tomato and brinjal? 14 Mention the name of early variety of potato 15 Mention the name of two insecticides for controlling insect pest of vegetables Total Score

7. Cosmopoliteness Please mention your frequency of visit to the following places

Sl. Place of visit Frequency of visit No. Regularly Occasionally Rarely Not at all (score-3) (score-2) (score-1) (score-0) ≥4 times 2-3 times/ 1 time/ 0 time/ 1 Visit to other villages \month month month month ≥5 times or 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 time/ 2 Visit to other union above/month month month month ≥4times/ 2-3 times/ 1 time/ 0 time/ 3 Own Upazila Sadar month month month month ≥3 times/ 2 times/ 4 Other Upazila Sadar 1 time/ year 0 time/ year year year ≥ 4 times/ 2-3 times/ 5 Own district town 1 time/ year 0 time/ year year year ≥3 times/ 2 times/ 6 Other district town 1 time/ year 0 time/ year year year ≥3 times/ 2 times/ 7 Capital city (Dhaka) 1 time/ year 0 time/ year year year

8. Extension contact Please indicate your extent of contact with the following agricultural or information media

Sl. Communication Media Extent of Communication Media No. Regularly Occasionally Rarely Not at all Personal Media Contact

1) Sub Assistant Agriculture ≥4 times/ 2-3 times/ 1 time/ 0 Officer(SAAO) month month month 2) Agriculture Extension ≥3 times/ 2 times/ 1 time/ year 0 Officer (AEO) year year 3) Upazila Agriculture Officer ≥3times/ 2 times/ 1 time/ year 0 (UAO) year year 4) Local leader ≥5times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 months months months 5) Seed/fertilizer dealer ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 month month month Group Media Contact

6) Group discussion ≥5 times/ 3-4 times / 1-2 times / 0 year year year

7) Field day ≥3 times/ 2 times / 1 time / year 0 year year 8) Result demonstration 1 1 time/ 1 time/ 0 time/year 2 years ≥3 years 9) Participation in agricultural ≥4 times/ 2-3 times/ 1 time / life 0 training course life life Mass Media Contact

10) Daily paper ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 month month month 11) Radio ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 week week week 12) Television ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 months months month 13) Poster ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 year year year 14) Leaflet ≥5 times/ 3-4 times/ 1-2 times/ 0 year year year 15) Agricultural fair 1 time/ 1 time/ 2 1 time / ≥3 0 year years years Total =

9. Agricultural Training Did you participate in any agricultural training program?

YES No

If yes, then please give the following information:

Sl. Name of the training courses Duration of No. training(days)

Total =

10. Decision Making Role

What is your role of decision making in your family?

Extent of involvement in decision making Nature of Take Take decision Take decision No decision Decision decision discussing discussing with making role solely with husband family (score-0) (score-3) (score-2) members (score-1)

Adoption of agricultural technologies Buying of agricultural inputs Family affairs Selling of agricultural products Education of children Participation in social activities

11. Innovativeness Please furnish your information about the extent of uses of the following technologies

Sl. Degree of use No Practices/method Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Do not within 1 within > within > within after 4 use year of 1-2 years 2-3 years > 3-4 years of hearing of of years of hearing hearing hearing hearing 1 Cultivation of HYV (High Yielding Variety) seed

2 Use of compost

3 Use of granular fertilizer

4 Cultivation of vegetables in homestead area 5 Use of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Total=

12. Participation of Rural Women in Homestead Vegetables Cultivation a) Participation of rural women in homestead winter vegetables cultivation i) Please indicate your extent of participation in the following operations of winter vegetables cultivation

Sl. Extent of participation No. Item/ Operation Regularly Occasionally Rarely Never (score-3) (score-2) (score-1) (score-0)

1. Bed preparation 2. Seed sowing 3. Transplanting of seedling 4. Fertilizer application 5. Irrigation 6. Drainage 7. Weeding 8. Insect control 9. Seed collection 10. Seed preservation

ii) Please indicate your extent of production participation in the following winter vegetables cultivation

Sl. Name of the Extent of production No. vegetables 1 year 2 year 3-5 year >5 year 1. Brinjal 2. Bengal spinach 3. Battle gourd 4. Cabbage 5. Carrot 6. Cauliflower 7. Country been 8. Potato 9. Radish 10. Tomato

b) Participation of rural women in homestead summer vegetables cultivation i) Please indicate your extent of participation in the following operations of summer vegetables cultivation

Sl. Item/ Operation Extent of participation No. Regularly Occasionally Rarely Never (score-3) (score-2) (score-1) (score-0)

1. Pit preparation 2. Seed sowing 3. Irrigation 4. Drainage 5. Weeding 6. Fertilizer application 7. Insect control 8. Support arrangement for creeper 9. Seed collection 10. Seed preservation

ii) Please indicate your extent of production participation in the following summer vegetables cultivation

Sl. Name of the Extent of production No. vegetables 1 year 2 year 3-5 year >5 year 1. Amaranths 2. Bitter gourd 3. Indian spinach 4. Okra 5. Pointed gourd 6. Ridge gourd 7. Snake gourd 8. Sweet gourd 9. Teasle gourd 10. Wax gourd

13. Problem Faced in Homestead Vegetables Cultivation Please indicate the extent of problem that you usually face during the homestead vegetable cultivation

Sl. Items/Operation Extent of problem No. Very High Medium Low No high (score-3) (score-2) (score-1) problem (score-4) at all (score-0) 1. Lack of quality seeds and seedlings 2. Lack of required information in time 3. Higher price of inputs 4. Lower market price of products 5. Lower fertility of homestead land 6. Lack of technical knowledge 7. Lack of credit 8. Lack of homestead land 9. Insect and disease infestation 10. Cattle and goat destroy the vegetables Total score=

Thank you for your kind co-operation

Date: ......

Signature of Interviewer

APPENDIX B Correlation Matrix of the dependent and independent variables (N = 120)

Variable X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8 X9 X10 X11 Y1 Y2 Y3 X1 1 ** X2 -.583 1 X3 -.017 -.042 1 X4 .244** -.028 .190* 1 X5 .238** .055 .122 .649** 1 X6 .050 .161 .001 .242** .317** 1 X7 -.017 .061 -.092 .208* .275** .204* 1 X8 .154 .124 .014 .428** .486** .445** .239** 1 X9 .073 .126 .000 .319** .366** .103 .040 .491** 1 X10 .214* .012 .091 -.064 -.138 .035 -.291** -.061 -.126 X11 -.225* .237** -.089 -.083 .024 .055 .107 .058 .032 1 X12 -.158 .207* -.090 .100 .226* .208* .125 .372** .258** .418** 1 Y1 .040 .117 -.043 .196* .365** .131 .130 .250** .334** .130 .364** 1 Y2 -.035 .119 -.086 .041 .272** .187* .135 .164 .114 .293** .423** .701** 1 Y3 .004 .128 -.069 .132 .347** .171 .144 .226* .246** .226* .426** .927** .917** 1 ** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). * Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed). LEGEND X1 = Age X6 =Knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation X2 = Education X7 = Cosmopoliteness X11 = Innovativeness X3 = Family size X8 = Extension contact Y1 = Participation in winter vegetable cultivation X4 = Family income X9 = Agricultural training Y2 = Participation in summer vegetable cultivation X5 = Farm size X10 = Decision making role Y3 = Participation in homestead vegetable cultivation 91